Metal nanoparticles-based colorimetric methods for drug analyses

Abstract

The unique physicochemical and optical properties of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) play key roles in stimulating their potential applications in analytical and bioanalytical sciences. These metal NPs have shown tremendous potential for applications in UV-visible spectrometry for sensitive and accurate assays of drugs in their pharmaceutical formulations and biofluids. To tune their binding affinity, surface chemistry plays an essential role in metal NPs-assisted spectrometric approaches for drug analyses. In this chapter, recent advances in functionalized Au and Ag NPs as good candidates for colorimetric assays of various drugs in various samples are summarized. Finally, this chapter aim is to explore the advantages of organic molecules as ligands for tuning their interactions selectively with drugs, as well as highlighting the future perspectives of Au and Ag NPs in assaying drugs in pharmaceutical and biological samples. © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.